WATERVILLE – The Rev. Valmont J.R. Gilbert, 75, died Saturday afternoon, Sept. 24, 2005, at MaineGeneral Medical Center-Thayer Unit after a prolonged illness. He was born April 10, 1930, in Winslow, the son of Romeo J. and Marie Anna (Breton) Gilbert. He was educated in Notre Dame and St. Joseph Maronite Schools in Waterville, and had attended Waterville High School for two years and then attended St. Francis College High School in Biddeford, for two years. He then attended St. Francis College in Biddeford, earning a degree in philosophy and then entered the Grand Seminary in Montreal, Canada, where he studied for the priesthood and attained the degrees in philosophy and sacred theology. He was ordained June 15, 1957, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, by the Most Rev. Daniel J. Feeney. Shortly after ordination, Father Gilbert was assigned as an assistant at Our Lady of Ransom in Mechanic Falls and St. Agatha in St. Agatha. Then he had assignments in later years as assistant pastor at Holy Rosary in Caribou, St. Joseph’s in Biddeford, St. Ignatius in Sanford. He was Pastor of St. Agnes in Island Falls, St. Mary’s in Presque Isle, St. Augustine’s in Augusta. He was Administrator of St. Denis in North Whitefield. He was pastor of St. Bridget’s in North Vassalboro. He was Temporary Administrator of SS. Athanasius and John in Rumford. He was also pastor of St. Bernard’s in Rockland and St. James in Thomaston. Father Gilbert had also many appointments, several of which were Chaplain of the Holy Rosary Circle, Daughters of Isabella No. 638 of Caribou, Chaplain of the Civil Air Patrol in Caribou, member of the Diocesan Priest’s Senate, State Prior of the Columbian Squires, Chaplain of the Abnaki Council No. 334, Knights of Columbus, member of the Board of Trustees, Clergy Benefit/Pension Plan, Diocesan Council of Priests, Chairman and Chaplain of the Diocesan Human Relations Service (Catholic Charities of Maine), Vice Forane of the North Kennebec Deanery, Chaplain of the Waterville Council Knights of Columbus and Limerock Council Knights of Columbus of Rockland and Faithful Friar of the Major Sayward N. Hall Assembly, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus of Rockland; served on the Board of Visitors, Maine Correctional Center in 1986. He also served on the Maine Committee on aging. He was a director of the Bank of Maine which was later Northstar. He was one of the founders of Cushnoc Bank in Augusta. He was a member of the Augusta and Rockland Rotary Clubs. During his priesthood he visited the Middle East, Rome, Ireland, France and Washington, D.C. Father Gilbert is survived by his brother, Joseph “Fern” W. Gilbert and his wife, Lorraine, of Holiday, Fla. Visitation at will be held 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, from Notre Dame Church, 112 Silver St., Waterville, with Evening Prayer with Clergy at 4 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday with the Most Rev. Richard J. Malone, Bishop of Portland, will be the principal celebrant presiding at the service. Committal prayers and burial will follow in the family lot in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Waterville. Arrangements are with Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his memory may be made to either the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, 101 Silver St., Waterville, ME 04901 or to Mount Merici Catholic Elementary School, 142 Western Ave., Waterville, ME 04901. Condolences may be expressed at www.gallantfh.com
REV. VALMONT J.R. GILBERT
